10 Questions with ... Scott Reinche

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I got started in radio in 1992 at a top 40 station and was fortunate to be a part of WFHN until 2014 when I made the move to Easy 99.1

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

My first radio gig was not something I was excited about at first because it was an internship at the AM sister station of the station that I wanted to intern for, turns out it paid big dividends not only then, but many years later.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

I was always interested in picking out music for people to enjoy. I got my first taste of that at a roller skating rink in the 80s, which led to my radio career.

3. How are things during the pandemic? Are your staffers all coming into the studio or is there some off-campus work being done?

It’s been a tremendous challenge. Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily lay off some great people, and the weight of that has fallen on other staffers. Those of us who are left are live from home. We anxiously await a return to full speed.

4. What’s it personally been like for you as a Program Director during these times?

It’s been tough because you want to give the audience everything that got the station to where it is now, but because of reduced staff and remote broadcasting, it’s a definite challenge, and you feel like you are under serving the audience, although the feedback has helped overcome that though.

5. Your midday show counts on a lot of at work listening. What adjustments have you made lately with more folks working from home?

The only adjustment made on the midday show was to not be as worried about talking a little bit more. Telling a few more stories, letting listeners tell theirs. The mindset is that giving people a little more sense of comfort and good vibes is more important than being in a rush to get to a commercial break or to the next song so fast.

6. What was the premise behind your popular ‘Back In The Day Easy Café’ during your show?

Music, music, music and the audience picking the music. The goal was to get listeners to talk about other listeners musical choices and to build a sense of community in this show. The best feeling I get out of it is that listeners are fascinated by other listeners as well as the music. It’s very interactive.

7. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep the station visible and involved in the community?

We do our best to not become wallpaper or generic, we try to get out as much as we can. We do live events (when there isn’t a pandemic), and we try to run promotions that affect people ie: Easy 99.1’s Nurse Of The Year, which is what we are doing now. And of course we discuss things on the air that only a local jock who actually lives in the area can deliver.

8. Which social media platforms do you use to engage with your listeners these days?

We use Facebook a lot, but not over the top. We have a presence on Twitter and Instagram too, but unlike a lot of stations today, we don’t focus on it that much. Myself, and our radio family still think radio is a key medium and is self-supported, especially given our audience.

9. What was your favorite station when you were a kid? Jock?

I loved WZLX in Boston. I was the only kid in high school listening to classic rock and calling the jocks all the time. Harvey Warfield stood out to me and I loved listening to the legendary Dale Dorman too.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

I was given my start by Joe Limardi, who I have great respect for. My Program Director for 20 years was J.R. Reitz who recently passed away, and taught me all there was to learn--Radio 101. Also my friend Pete Braley, who was the one who gave me that first internship on WBSM. But now, there are a few great people who I have met and worked with that I have great respect for. They know who they are.

Plymouth is one of the most historic areas in the country. Other than THE ROCK, what are some things that a first-time visitor would have to see?

Plymouth has a beautiful waterfront and fantastic restaurants. The Rock will only take you a few seconds to visit, so after that its food, maybe a whale watch, some shopping, then if you go north its Boston, or south and you’re on beautiful Cape Cod!!